PLATE 69: TITS II & HOUSE MARTINS
Siberian Tit Poecile cinctus
13–14 cm
ID Similar to Willow and Marsh Tits, but readily distinguished by dull blackish-brown (vs. black) cap, browner back and rusty-brown flanks. Less dapper than Willow or Marsh Tits with fluffy, untidy appearance. Like Willow Tit has extensive black bib. Voice Song is a loud and throaty repeated two-syllable phrase cheeoo-cheeoo-cheeoo. Call very similar to Willow Tit’s. Habitat Prefers conifer forest in mountains but also patches of birch and aspen. Moves down to lower edge of conifer forest and rarely to river valleys and wooded parks in winter. Behaviour Similar to Willow and Marsh Tits. Status Rare and local resident breeder in main Khangai, Hövsgöl and Hentii ranges, with disjunct population in Buir Lake-Khalkh River-Khyangan Region. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Parus. [Alt: Grey-headed Chickadee]
Coal Tit Periparus ater
11–12 cm
ID Smallest of Mongolian tits. Plumage pattern similar to Marsh and Willow, but easily distinguished by blue-grey back, two white wing-bars and distinctive white nape-patch. Voice High, plaintive tsee or psit, singly or in series. Song is reminiscent of higher-pitched and speeded-up Great Tit’s pitchee-pitchee-pitchee. Habitat Mainly coniferous forest but also typical taiga birch and aspen copses and wooded parks and gardens. Behaviour Generally shyer than other tits, but joins mixed-species flocks in winter. Status Fairly common resident breeder across northern Mongolia from Mongol-Altai range and Great Lakes Depression through Khangai, Hövsgöl and Hentii ranges and far eastern Dornod. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Parus.
Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus
12–13 cm
ID An elegant blue-and-white tit, impossible to confuse with any other Mongolian species. Voice Calls are varied combinations of rolling buzzy phrases e.g. tsee-tsee-dze-dze. Song is typically a more elaborate version of calls. Habitat Willow copses in river valleys and other thickets and woodland edges near water; also parks and garden, especially in winter. Behaviour Similar to Marsh and Willow Tits. Status Fairly common resident breeder with a broad range extending from Mongol-Altai range and Great Lakes Depression in the west, through Hövsgöl, Khangai and Hentii ranges to the Khalkh-Khyangan Region of far east. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Parus.
Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
13–15 cm
ID Glossy blue-black upperparts and sharply contrasting white underparts (duller in juv) distinguish this species from all other Mongolian swallows except very similar Asian House Martin, which see for points of difference. Voice Somewhat toneless twittering churi-ri churi-ri and more emphatic prrrit. Habitat Nests on cliffs and artificial structures near wetlands, open areas and settlements. Behaviour Builds a cup-shaped nest of mud pellets under eaves or on suitable ledges, visiting puddles to collect mud. Status Fairly common breeding visitor across the country apart from driest regions of extreme south, and fairly common passage migrant throughout, early May to late August (early September in the south). [Alt: Northern House Martin]
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
13 cm
ID Very similar to Common House Martin, from which best distinguished in flight by less extensive and finely streaked white rump; dirty greyish tinge to underparts (vs. clear white); dusky (vs. white) undertail-coverts; and (especially) dark vs. pale underwing-coverts. Voice Similar to Common House Martin. Habitat As Common House Martin, though nests at cliff sites in Mongolia. Behaviour Similar to Common House Martin. Status Very rare and local breeding visitor, reported to nest in Khoridol Saridag and Bayany Nuruu in Hövsgöl Mountains. Passage dates presumably as Common House Martin.
